Time Out #305

 

hmmm a favorite card making technique?  I have so many!  But if you counted my supply of embossing folders, it is clear to see what I reach for when I want to make my crafty heart happy: 175 with the last addition from a sweet friend!

Thanks, Time Out #305 for the perfect opportunity for its first pressing!  Here is a closeup so you can see the wonderful details of this Spellbinders Molded Frame ...

Talk about perfect simplicity - it embosses a frame, a mat, and a central, raised

panel to embellish... today I used a second favorite: Layering, die cut florals.

This one is from The Greetery: Rosemal Reflections Details dies.

I can't wait to use it again, and again, and ... you get the picture!

Thanks for stopping by and sharing a bit of your precious time with me - and for all the get well wishes - thanks a million!

=] Michele

Just us Girls #807 Stencil Week

I'm back 'in the saddle' and even though our weather is dreadful, I am 99.8% better and boy that feels great!

The moment Bobby announced it was Stencil Week at Just us Girls #807, I scurried into my studio - I have a brand spankin' new stencil set to use!!  I mentioned a prize won on IG from Waffle Flower Crafts - not only did I choose those wonderful frames, but also their new Peony Stencils... here's the first of many to come...

Galina used black in her background in her YouTube video - of course I wanted

to CASE every detail but thought a dark brown would be almost as dramatic!

Tell me what you think!

Several dies were used before I got right to the edge of the completed piece:

from the outside: PTI Skinny Ric Rac dies, then EH Essential Rectangle which

leaves the teensiest little border, and lastly one of Wplus9's Postage dies for my sentiment.  

Before putting them all together, I used my favorite SU Subtle Texture to add a fabric look.  

I just never tire of that.

These are the inks used for the Peony layers.

 So!  There it is! My first card for a challenge in 2026!  Thanks, JUGS for lighting the fire!

=] Michele

Freshly Made Sketches #720 by Jen T.

hello friends! Another Wednesday, and another great sketch from Freshly Made Sketches by Jen Timko!

OH, the possibilities are endless!  But here is how my [still not 100%] brain

took inspiration from Jen's sketch:

I got a new set of frame dies using a gift card I won on Instagram from

my generous friends at Waffle Flower Crafts!  Nesting Piercing Classic Labels paired with a wonderful print from Spellbinders' Holiday Expansion Pack, two circles and a lonely little snowflake [HoneyBee I think?] from my snippets!

I could happily live in this wonderful little village!  Unless, of course, it's

Winter all year long!! OY!

Okay, now it's your turn and we look forward to seeing your cards before

Monday January 26th at 3pm EST.

Be sure you stop by the Freshly Made Sketches blog for mountains of 

beautiful inspiration from the team!

=] Michele 

Freshly Made Sketches #719

Hello my friends!  I have been 'out of commission' since December 27th and, if I'm honest, I am still far from 100%.  It has been such a long time since I've made a card or created a post that I almost forgot everything!  But today, instead of laundry, I decided to head to my studio - I have Judy's sketch at Freshly Made Sketches and blue skies to thank for that!

There are a few 'new things' in my stash purchased before Christmas.  

Concord & 9th's Just Picked die set came to my rescue today.

I couldn't resist water coloring the sweet, layered Clover blossom in this set -

putting them inside their darling vase was a no-brainer!

While deciding what to use for my card panel I remembered a really

old pack of adhesive backed fabric from DCWV purchased at Michael's

many, many years ago. This natural 'slubbed' linen is so pretty!

I found the 'band' among my snippets - you'll undoubtedly see those 

Betterpress-ed sentiments quite often in 2026, too.

Okay, that's about all I have the energy for today except to invite you to the FMS blog to see all the creative ways my teammates have used Judy's sketch!  

Thanks to those of you who have sent healing prayers, get-well wishes, and cards!

=] Michele

Peace, love and...

 

Thank you, so very much for your friendship and support of my little blogging adventure - this marks my 3,000th post!  I've saved it for Christmas to send thanks and the merriest of Christmases to you and yours!

with love and best wishes in the New Year!

Michele

Double D Challenge: Santa and/or Snowman

I have a [few] new snowdudes in my stash thanks to a

loving friend who sent me a gift card for my birthday in November!

Imagine my delight when I received the Double D Challenge December prompt above!

Even without a top hat, I think you'll agree that this SSS Snuggle Snowman is

perfect for the challenge!

I mimicked the bright snowy yet sunny day we had on Wednesday using my old favorite Lil' Inkers debossing plate to add movement to my snowflakes

and added a few snippets of HB Merry Moments dsp.

His cute little 'frozen' tree is one of two in a set from SSS Pointy Pine Boughs.

Someone might notice that I made him different 'arms' and made

his arms into feet!  See the dudes below for reference!

For this card I cut my snowman from Neenah Solar White 110# card and his

hat and scarf from C&9th's Poppy card.

Here are a few more that were cut completely from white and colored

with Copic markers...

I'm determined to use a few of the ready-made panels and sentiments I have in my stash! This one was made with grey cardstock and SSS Sparkling Facets.

Here is another that Marcia sent me... PTI Stitched Snowflake cover plate.

That's it from me today.  Thanks so much for stopping by this week!

=] Michele

Freshly Made Sketches #717

Hello and thanks for stopping by!  It's time for this week's Freshly Made Sketch #717 this time from Narelle! I can't wait to see how her sketch is portrayed in paper!

I ended last week with time for a little 'clean up' and found a box of unfinished

Christmas cards and a whole stack of Christmas tags made in years past

during my time with Ellen Hutson.  

I do not shop for gifts anymore so why do I need gift tags?  I decided to turn them

all into Christmas cards - easier to tuck in a little something they 

really, REALLY want inside!

I love this crisp black and white with a touch of gold

and I had two tags that I combined to represent Narelle's sketch!

I 'unraveled' the twine and now it's feeling fresh and new!

There are many more to go!

Whether you find a bit of fun in your stash to 'repurpose' or start from scratch, we'll love seeing it this week's FMS717 gallery! 

BTW we will keep this Sketch gallery open until January 5th at 3pm EST so you have plenty of time to play along!

=] Michele